KEXP Reviews

As with their excellent 2nd album, the 3rd from this British production duo centers around the magnetic vocal presence of former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan. His dark, husky lead vocals are present on 10 of the album’s 14 songs, and while other special guests contribute including the Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes, Mike Patton, Spiritualized’s Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley and Australian newcomer Red Ghost (aka Rosa Agostino), it’s Lanegan who gives extra weight to these brooding tunes of spiritual unease. The album’s dense production makes the songs hit even harder than before, with Soulsavers relying less on electronics this time in favor of a heavier, guitar-driven sound, along with some haunting strings and piano. 8/21/2009
- Don Yates